Key for type-writers



(No Model.)

W. B.-LILLARD. KEY FOR TYPE WRITERS.

No. 546,896. Patented Sept. 24, 1895.

FIG. .1".

0 lllllllilllllllll UNITE drains \VILLlAM B. LILLARD, OF NEW ORLEANS,LOUISIANA.

KEY FOR TYPE-WRITERS.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No, 546,896, datedSeptember 24, 1895. Application filed June 24, 1895 Serial No. 553,900.(No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM B. LILLARD, a citizen of the United States,residing at New Orleans, in the parish of Orleans and State ofLouisiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Keys forType-Writers and Like Machines; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and usethe same.

My invention relates to improvements in keys for type-writing machines,linotype-machines, and like instruments where the keys are struckrepeatedly by an expert operator, and it is intended to relieve the wearon the fingers and joints of the operator and to facilitate theoperation of the key; and the said invention consists in providing acushion or pad for the key having on the upper side or portion struck bythe fingers a plurality of tongues or prongs of soft resilient material,which will be firm enough to press the key downward, as desired, and yetwill be sufficiently elastic to tend to lift the fingers therefrom, thusnot only compensating for irregularities of touch or force in strikingthe keys, but also preventing the fingers from sticking to the key, andat the same time rendering the strain on the finger-tips and joints ofthe fingers less wearying.

My invention will be understood by reference to the accompanyingdrawings, in which the same parts are indicated by the same lottersthroughout both views.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of three of the keys providedwith my improved cap, and Fig. 2 represents one of the keys in sideelevation and showing the cap in section.

A represents the key, which is provided with a socket B, in which thecap-piece O is mounted. This cap-piece is made of rubber or felt orother like soft and elastic material,but preferably of rubber, and slipsinto the socket B, or it may be secured to the said socket or to thesaid key in any desired way. The top of this cap-piece O is providedwith a plurality of upwardly-projecting tongues or prongs 0,

preferably of the same material as the bottom of the cap-piece and ofthe proper proportions as to height and thickness as to yield therequisite amount of softness and resiliency to the touch, theproportions being dependent to a large degree upon the nature of thematerial employed.

Instead of making the bottom piece and the prongs of the same material,the prongs may be inserted like bristles in a brush, if desired.

The cap-piece should preferably be of soft rubber made integral with theprongs, and the various cap-pieces may be detachably mounted in thesockets, so as to enable the operator to change one or all of them, ifdesired.

The appliance is primarily intended for use by expert operators wherethe wear and tear on the fingers is very great, and where it is notnecessary to mark or letter the keys; but the keys may be marked orlettered on the rim of the socket or in any other convenient place, orseparate attachments might be used for marking the keys, if desired.

It will be seen that the cap-piece may be mounted on the key in a greatvariety of ways without departing from the spirit of my invention.

. Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. A cap for the keys of typewritingor like machines having a pluralityof soft elastic prongs or tongues adapted to be struck by the fingerwhen the key is operated, substantially as described.

2. A cap for the keys of typewriting or like machines consisting of abase piece attached to the key, and provided with a plurality ofupwardly projecting prongs of soft rubber adapted to be struck by thefinger in operating the key, substantially as described.

3. The combination in a key for typewriting or like machines, of asocket attached to or integral with the key, and a rubber cap piecemounted in said socket and provided with a plurality of upwardlyprojecting prongs or tongues adapted to be struck by the finger inoperating said key, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM B. LILLARD.

Witnesses:

GARRETT Biaown", JOHN J. SAUCIER.

